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‘DWTS’ Proponent Artem Chigvintsev Arrested on Suspicion of Domestic Abuse
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‘DWTS’ Proponent Artem Chigvintsev Arrested on Suspicion of Domestic Abuse

Artem Chigvintsev has been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence — and he won’t be part of the next season of Dancing with the stars.

The professional dancer was arrested around 10 a.m. in Napa County, California, according to public records. Chigvintsev was booked under California Penal Code Section 273.5(a), which states that anyone who “intentionally causes bodily injury resulting in a traumatic condition” to a current or former spouse, domestic partner, cohabitant or co-parent is guilty of a misdemeanor. If found guilty, he could face up to four years in prison and/or a $6,000 fine. Chigvintsev’s bail has been set at $25,000.

Entertainment weekly has learned that there were never any plans for Chigvintsev to participate in Dancing with the stars‘ upcoming 33rd season.

Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev from ‘Dancing With the Stars’.
Craig Sjodin/ABC

In 2022, Chigvintsev married former WWE star Nikki Garcia, whom he began dating when they became a couple on DWTS in 2019. They have a four-year-old son. It is unclear whether Garcia was involved in the incident.

Representatives for Chigvintsev, Garcia and the Napa County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Entertainment weekly‘s requests for comment. Garcia posted an Instagram Story suggesting she was also in Napa on Wednesday afternoon.

Chigvintsev and Garcia both celebrated their second wedding anniversary in Instagram posts earlier this week. “Happy anniversary my love, I can’t see my life without you,” Chigvintsev wrote on Monday. “You are my everything.” Meanwhile, Garcia posted the lyrics to “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” on Tuesday, captioning it: “This song is our love story. I’ll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem. A conversation with Him and God. How my feelings felt too fast. It all felt too fast. And then this song came along. And that’s when I knew I was falling in love with him and it was all meant to be.”

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Artem Chigvintsev, Nikki Garcia from ‘Dancing With the Stars’.
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty

Chigvintsev began his TV dancing career in the British series Strictly Come Dancing during its eighth season in 2010, which he won alongside actress Kara Tointon. He appeared in three more seasons of that show before joining DWTS as a member of the dance group during the 18th season in 2014.

He was then promoted to professional dancer in season 19, dancing with Lea Thompson, and returned for season 20, when he was paired with Patti LaBelle. Chigvintsev did not compete in season 21, but did return to the show for the next six seasons, partnering with Garcia, Nancy Kerrigan, Mischa Barton, and Maureen McCormick. He did not return for season 28, but returned in season 29, winning the show for the first time with Bachelorette star Kaitlyn Bristowe in 2020. He later danced with Melora Hardin, Heidi D’Amelio and Charity Lawson in subsequent seasons. He missed a week of season 32 last year due to COVID-19.